About AFCWA

The American Football Coaches' Wives Association (AFCWA) is a national organization that was formed in 1989 to work in conjunction with the American Football Coaches Association.

Our Mission is to provide camaraderie, support, information, and service to the wives of American Football Coaches. Wives of these great competitors have come together in an effort to support and serve in our own communities and across the country. Whether it is the NFL, NCAA, JUCO, NAIA or countless high school football programs around the country - we share a common bond that brings us together.​

We pride ourselves on service and have come to rely on one another for support that is not easily understood by those outside the profession. Being the wife of a football coach can be a challenging "position" to play, a challenging "helmet" to wear and a challenging life to lead. It is filled with excitement and intense emotion at every turn.

Competition abounds on the football field, but within our organization it is all about teamwork. Team identity, coaches' salaries, level of play or television exposure take a backseat to real life issues. The camaraderie erases all divisional lines that exist in the national polls and rankings.​

Meet Our President: Rebekah Provost-Emmons

Dear AFCWA Sisters,

It is a true honor to serve as your 2026 President. I am especially grateful to work alongside an incredible Board of Directors who pour so much of themselves into this organization. We are, in every sense, a team—we don’t just serve alongside one another; we serve for each other.

For those I haven't met yet, my name is Rebekah Provost-Emmons. I’ve been a coach’s wife for nearly 23 years. My husband, Jay, and I live in beautiful Franklin, Tennessee, with our two boys, Jace and Myer, and our dogs, Vader and Naya. Jay is in his fifth year of coaching and teaching at Page High School, and we absolutely love our community and football family. (LET’S GO PAGE PATRIOTS!) Between my career as a social worker and serving as the high school soccer booster club president for my sons’ team, my life is a whirlwind—but I wouldn't have it any other way!

If you’ve been around AFCWA for a while, you know this isn’t just an organization; it’s a family. It’s where we swap survival stories, laugh until we cry, and turn strangers into lifelong sisters. Stepping into this role is a "pinch-me" moment, and I am ready to give everything I have to make this community even stronger.

Words can’t adequately describe the love and intention our Past President, Nedra Malone, poured into this organization. Nedra led with her heart and her love for AFCWA, and I am forever grateful for everything she did behind the scenes. She has given so much of her time, energy, and talent over the past many years, and I am honored to have had a front row seat to her presidency. I am thankful to call her a mentor and a dear friend.

So, what’s next? While connection is our heartbeat, my goal for 2026 is to strengthen AFCWA from the inside out. We are focusing on the member experience—looking at our processes and finding ways to make our outreach more meaningful all year long. I want the sisterhood to feel like a year-round celebration that culminates in our annual convention. (And yes, we’re already planning for Indianapolis in February 2027!)

I want to personally connect with as many of you as possible. Please reach out to me at afcwapresident@gmail.com. I love new ideas and am always open to your thoughts on how we can make your membership experience even better.

Be sure to stay tuned to our social media for upcoming virtual events. Let’s make this big sisterhood feel like a small-town front porch, complete with sweet tea and lemonade!

Cheers to the women who live this life—who do the impossible "in-season" and out, who love their bonus sons as their own, and who show up with passion every single day.

May we know them, and may we be them.

With love and gratitude,

Rebekah Provost-Emmons

President, American Football Coaches Wives Association

2026-2027 Board of Directors
Trustees

Founding Mothers and Trustees

These women founded AFCWA and currently serve as trustees.

*Served as President

Patti Edwards*

(Deceased Feb. 13, 2026)

Jackie Harbaugh*
Carol James
Ellie Mallory*
Donell Teaff
Dorothy Faye McClendon

​(Deceased Jan. 14, 2015)

Meet your 2026-2027 Board of Directors

This amazing group of women works hard all year to provide the AFCWA Membership with an excellent experience year after year during the annual AFCWA convention. We hope you know how much they love serving this amazing community!

President
Rebekah Provost-Emmons

"I believe in the mission of AFCWA, and I am honored to be part of an organization that brings connection. Only those who live this life can truly understand it, and I love how we lift each other up and straighten each other's crowns."

Vice President
Kallie Finley

"Since joining, I have met so many amazing women and their coaches and have formed friendships that have enriched my life in so many ways."

Treasurer
Kim Bonta

"I joined AFCWA to extend my network to include wives who are familiar with the coaching lifestyle. My family and non-coaching friends do not understand the demands of this volatile industry and can be quick to judge. This organization allows us to create long standing friendships with other women who get it and are willing to offer support."

Secretary
Savannah Smith

"AFCWA is an amazing organization because it put you in contact with a group of like minded women. We encourage each other and build each other up. You make friends with people from all over the country! Having this support system is truly such a blessing. You have the best of the best always in your corner and always cheering you on!"

Past President
Nedra Malone

"I joined AFCWA because I wanted to meet wives who have successfully navigated life as a "coach's wife." I also wanted to help newer coach's wives navigate hills and valleys experienced on this road and share the 'tricks of the trade' with them."

Hospitality & Service
Natasha Cooper

"I joined AFCWA to connect with and encourage women walking through the football journey, trusting God in every season.I’m honored to serve on the board and be part of a community where no one walks alone."

Programs & Scholarship
Ayana Corbin Minor

"I joined the AFCWA Board of Directors to give back to an organization that has given me so much. Being in community with women who truly understand the unique demands of this [sometimes wacky] lifestyle is invaluable. The programming has provided me with actionable ideas that have directly impacted and elevated my coach's program. I’m honored to support the next generation of women in our community and pay that blessing forward."

Seasoned Wives/New Wives & Newsletter
Rebecca Davidyock

"I’ve been a coach’s wife for almost 4 years now. I’ll be honest, those years weren’t always easy. I wanted to be a part of AFCWA because it truly is a sisterhood. These women, no matter the level they are at, are always there for you. Even though we are all at different places and in different parts of the country, we are still there for each other and just a phone call away. The love and support from AFCWA is unmatched."

Hospitality
Gina Godding

"Our Defensive Coordinator introduced me to AFCWA, and while attending my first convention with his wife, I found AFCWA’s mission of promoting camaraderie, offering support, and the providing of information to be what I had been searching for."

Social Media & Website
Kimiko Griffin

"The life of a football wife is intense, extremely demanding, and filled with rewards—but it’s also a lifestyle that requires a village that "gets it". I joined AFCWA to equip women not only to endure this coaching lifestyle but, through encouraging camaraderie, education and support, helping them to flourish within it! When a coach wife is seen and supported, the entire family is strengthened. When families are stable, coaches are better positioned to pursue their God-given calling to use this incredible sport, to mentor and empower young men."

Programs
Lacey Hoffman

"Since joining AFCWA, I have met so many wonderful women who have supported me in the journey of being a coach's wife. It is amazing to be around women and other families who are facing similar challenges and can help offer support and guidance through the journey."

Newsletter & Silent Auction
Kyla Marshall

"I joined AFCWA because of the incredible community of women who truly understand the unique joys and challenges of the coaching life. Being part of AFCWA reminds me that none of us are doing this alone and we have support, friendship, and encouragement for any season of life that comes our way."

Katelyn Montes-Perkins

"I joined AFCWA because I wanted to be part of a supportive community that understands the unique challenges of being a wife of a football coach. The organization's mission to provide valuable information and service resonates with me, as it creates a space for connection, understanding and growth— helping us navigate the challenges of our roles while fostering lasting friendships."

Olivia Raby

"I joined the AFCWA to build connections with coaches' wives that know how crazy this lifestyle can be. AFCWA means an amazing support system that is in your corner during the great seasons AND the hard, lonely seasons."

Stephanie Scott

"AFCWA is a lifeline in this roller coaster ride we call the Coach Wife life. From the moment I walked into the Hospitality Room at Convention for the first time to now, years later, I have been incredibly welcomed, served, and supported."

Angie Stugart

"I joined AFCWA to be more a part of my husband’s coaching career, but since realized there’s so much more... a huge support system of coaches' wives who help each other navigate their way through the joys and trials of the coaching world. I’ve been blessed to meet so many incredible women and develop lifelong friends along the way."

Amanda Tobia

"Finding AFCWA has been a game changer for me! It has helped me see that I'm not alone and there are so many other amazing and strong women out there who experience this life too. The football life has its struggles, but also comes with amazing memories and experiences that I'm so grateful to have. Meeting new lifelong friends through the AFCWA are among the favorites, and I am so excited to be able to serve on the Board to continue the work of helping football wives find community."

Are you interested in serving on the AFCWA Board of Directors?

We will begin accepting applications for new Board of Director members in October 2025. Must be a member to apply.
More details coming soon!

Past Presidents and Trustees

These women served AFCWA as president and currently serve as trustees.

1989-1991

Ellie Mallory

1991-1992

Susan Keeling

1992-1993

Jackie Harbaugh

1993-1994

Pat Kane

1994-1995

Pat Edwards

1995-1996

Liz Mullins

1996-1997

LuAnn DeBerry

1997-1998

Judy Tate Simmons (Gregory)

1998-1999

Cathy Hofher

​(Deceased Nov. 30, 2021)

1999-2000

Maria Daniels

2000-2001

Donna Shaffner

2001-2002

Darlene Johnson

2002-2003

Mary Barnett

2003-2004

BeeBee Cervino

2004-2005

Nancy Cubit

2005-2006

Carol Tjeerdsma

2006-2007

Vicki Pinkel

2007-2008

Mary Ramseyer

2008-2009

Margaret Moore

2009-2010

Beth Boyd

2010-2011

Kathy Dudzinski

2011-2012

Tracee Norris

2012-2013

Holly Shealy

2013-2014

Sandy Montgomery

2014-2015

Sally Shannon

2015-2016

Katie Crowe Wood

2016-2017

Cindy Johnson

2017-2018

Jeanne Etheridge

2018-2019

Kristi Maloney

2019-2020

Mesha Mathis

2020-2021

Cynthia Griffing

2021-2022

Nicole Kaklis

2022-2023

Lindsay Elliott

2023-2024

Brittany Sloan

2024-2025

Natasha Adams

2025-2026

Nedra Malone

Lifetime Designations

Kelly Smith

​(Lifetime Advisor)

Sandy Atkins

​(Lifetime Member)